Plea for peaceful end to stand-off in Fiji

SUVA - A plea for peace in Fiji has come from the New Zealand-educated army commander who quit his job last week after trying to prevent yet another coup.

Lieutenant Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka forced a confrontation with his boss on Thursday over what he describes as "treasonous" acts.

In an exclusive interview (see link at foot of page), Baledrokadroka yesterday told the Herald on Sunday of his concerns over the stability of the armed forces commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

He also explained how he discovered Bainimarama was moving chosen officers into key positions and how a New Zealander or Australian should command Fiji's military.

Baledrokadroka then set out how he came to the decision to end his 25-year military career.

On Friday, Fiji tensed for another coup, after calls by Commodore Bainimarama for the government to alter its policies or face martial law.

The call follows years of tension following a previous coup in 2000.

Colonel Baledrokadroka, who was educated at De La Salle College in South Auckland, and wrote a paper on Fiji's defence forces while in New Zealand, said yesterday he believed in the rule of law, not might.

"What the [army] leadership has been doing doesn't sit well with me, or my conscience."

And he warned that with elections due in September, it was likely there would be more trouble.

"The chances of instability are quite high, given our history."

Resorts and tourist operators in Fiji said yesterday the situation appeared stable ahead of tomorrow's crucial meeting between the army and government, but they had fielded many queries from Australia and New Zealand.

Most New Zealand travel agencies say they are taking their lead from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which has said there is no reason to believe thousands of New Zealanders living in or visiting Fiji are at risk - at this stage.

Ravite Prasad, manager of Bekana Garden Island Resort in Suva, said the speculation could have an effect on tourist numbers.

Vince McBride, executive director of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, said the situation was worrying "and potentially quite dangerous".

Both the US and Australia have issued mild warnings about travelling to Fiji, but Foreign Minister Winston Peters insisted yesterday that he saw no need to follow suit.

"The fact that they're engaged in dialogue and have future meetings planned for Monday is good. It's just a matter of seeing how things develop." 

- HERALD ON SUNDAY, additional reporting: Patrick Crewdson, Ann Newbery, Miles Erwin